Attention F1 students and other visa holders! The H-1B visa lottery is the gateway for international students to live and work in the U.S. after their studies. Here’s a breakdown of the process.
The H-1B visa lottery is right around the corner, starting on March 5, 2025. It’s time to get ready for your chance to work and live in the U.S., potentially in your dream job.
What is the H-1B Lottery? Since demand is high, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses a random selection process to allocate 85,000 visas annually:
- 65,000 visas for general applicants
- 20,000 visas reserved for individuals with advanced U.S. degrees
Why is it a Challenge? With hundreds of thousands of applications submitted each year, the lottery is extremely competitive. For instance, in FY 2024, USCIS received over 780,000 applications.
Here is a guide through the steps to prepare for the H-1B lottery:
- Find an Employer to Sponsor You: This is the most crucial step. You may need to educate and convince employers about the process, so timing is essential. Start conversations early and ensure they have the necessary guidance.
You do need to contact an attorney to work with the employer or your employer may already have an attorney.
- Increase Your Chances: Be realistic—your chances of being selected are around 25–30%. To improve your odds, find more than one employer willing to sponsor you.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather the necessary paperwork, including your I-20s, degree certificates, transcripts, and passport. Submit these to your attorney by the first week of January or earlier.
Timeline of the H-1B Visa Lottery: Why You Must Act Now!
While the H-1B lottery opens in March 2025, but preparation starts now as you only have 2 months to prepare for the application and you need an employer. Here’s a step-by-step timeline to follow.
Key Points:
- March: Employers register applicants.
- April: USCIS notifies selected applicants.
- Post-selection: Employers file H-1B petitions, which Emandi Law Firm can assist with.
- Act Early: Employers need time to prepare, so start the conversation now.
With 28 years of experience and thousands of successful H-1B work visa cases, we’re here to guide you. Reach out to Emandilaw for expert immigration employer visa advice and support in making your U.S. career dreams a reality.
Follow @RaniEmandiLaw for more tips and updates. Contact us to make your H-1B journey stress-free!